Savary, Anne-Jean-Marie-René

(1774-1833)

   general, political figure

   Born in Marcq, Ardennes, Anne-Jean-Marie-René Savary enlisted in the army in 1789 and became aide-de-camp to General Desaix during the Napoleonic Wars (campaigns in Egypt and italy), then served as colonel of the elite Consular Police, effectively heading the secret police of the first consul. He was put in charge of the execution of the duke d'ENGHiEN (1804). Named division commander in 1805, he distinguished himself at the Battle of ostroleka, Poland, and, in 1808, was made duke of Rovigo. Sent as an envoy to Spain, he convinced Kings Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to come to the meeting at Bayonne for victory of Ostroleka (1808). He succeeded joseph fouché as minister of police (1810-14) and, remaining faithful to napoléon i, wanted to follow him into exile, but instead was arrested. Savary later served as commander in chief in Algeria (1831-33) and left his Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire de Napoléon.